Michael Pugh
Nashville,TN
Summary
Dynamic educator with extensive experience in physics and mathematics. Adept at developing innovative STEM programs at colleges and high schools. Proven ability to foster inclusive learning environments while effectively managing diverse classrooms. Utilizes effective teaching strategies to convey complex theories in accessible manner. Track record of fostering classroom environment that promotes critical thinking and academic achievement.
Overview
31
31
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Physics Teacher
Metro Nashville Public Schools
07.2022 - Current
- Taught AP Physics, Honors Physics, AP Computer Science Principles, and Cybersecurity to grades 10-12.
- Worked with international students across a spectrum of 28 languages and cultures.
- Served on the district textbook adoption committee to choose new Physics textbooks that align with our updated district requirements.
- Contributed to the development of school-wide science initiatives by sponsoring the Robotics Club, helping students build robots and compete with other schools in our region. In an effort to ensure the future of our program, the Robotics Club visits local elementary schools to give demonstrations and let the children drive the robots.
- Incorporated cross-curricular connections into physics lessons, fostering interdisciplinary understanding among students while reinforcing key concepts from multiple subjects areas.
- Promoted hands-on learning experiences by creating lab experiences for students on a variety of topics, including kinematics, work and power, heat, torque, electricity and magnetism, and even viscosity. Laboratory experiences are essential for young students.
Professor of Physics
Chattanooga State Community College
08.2008 - 05.2022
- Taught algebra and calculus-based electricity and magnetism, as well as undergraduate classical mechanics.
- Coordinated three General Education audits and two Physics Department state audits. I also served as a state auditor at four other schools.
- Ran a volunteer student lab that built custom solar panels designed to store solar energy as static electricity, eliminating the need for batteries.
- Online Course Developer of Physics and Astronomy programs for TNeCampus, the statewide online college platform.
- Faculty Chair of the General Education Committee ensuring that our courses met the articulation agreements with other schools and would transfer to any state school. I also gave presentations and went to out-of-state conferences and professional development seminars for both General Education (NISOD) and inquiry-based learning.
- Worked with other Tennessee colleges and universities to create articulation agreements for prospective physics majors currently attending two-year colleges.
- Established strong relationships with four sets of stakeholders: students, other programs, other schools and the businesses that hired our graduates. .
- Working with Tennessee Technical University, we introduced innovative new teaching techniques to make an entire dual-enrollment course out of lab-based inquiry learning and spiraled curricula.
- Implemented new laboratory equipment and protocols ensuring safe practices while optimizing experimental processes.
- Delivered engaging guest lectures to the public and moderated public Q&A sessions with visiting guests such as Michio Kaku and Neil deGrasse Tyson.
Science and Mathematics Teacher
Hamilton County Board Of Education
08.2006 - 05.2008
- Implemented differentiated instruction strategies to accommodate diverse learning needs and styles, promoting inclusive education.
- Evaluated curriculum materials for alignment with state standards, ensuring comprehensive coverage of required content areas in both science and mathematics courses.
- Taught online AP Physics and traveled to other schools to do laboratory exercises and recitation sessions.
- Organized extracurricular teams for activities such as science fairs and "quiz bowl" competitions, enhancing student engagement beyond the classroom setting.
Science and Mathematics Teacher
Grundy County Board Of Education
01.2000 - 05.2006
- Utilized various assessment tools to monitor student progress, adjusting instructional methods accordingly for optimal learning outcomes.
- Developed interdisciplinary lesson plans to connect science and math topics with other subjects, increasing overall comprehension.
- Attended professional development conferences both in and out-of-state.
Teacher
Franklin County Board Of Education
08.1994 - 12.2000
- Taught Physics, Mathematics, English as a Second Language (ESL), Biology and Theater in a rural K-12 public school.
- Developed strong relationships with students, parents, and colleagues by maintaining open lines of communication and fostering a supportive learning environment.
- Managed classroom behavior effectively by establishing clear expectations, modeling appropriate conduct, and consistently enforcing established rules and consequences.
Education
Ph.D. - Administration And Supervision of Public Schools
Tennessee State University
Nashville, TNMaster of Arts - Science Education
University of Tennessee At Knoxville
Knoxville12-1997
Master of Science - Physics
University of Tennessee At Knoxville
Knoxville08-1992
Bachelor of Science - English Education
University of Tennessee At Knoxville
Knoxville, TN08-1986
Skills
- Extensive research experience in High Energy Particle Physics
- 30 years of teaching experience, both high school and college
- Expertise in complex mathematical concepts
- Adaptive teaching methods
- Development of online and in-person STEM programs
- Diversity appreciation
- Effective classroom management
- Laboratory operations development and oversight
Accomplishments
- Supervised team of 8 faculty members on the General Education Committee writing two of the university's GenEd Audits for the State of Tennessee.
- Sponsored and led three robotics teams to state competitions.
- Built a student-led volunteer lab to create custom solar panels that store energy without batteries.
- Collaborated with area STEM magnet schools to develop and implement a lab-based dual-enrollment spiraled inquiry-based curricula for high school physics students.
- 14 years as a course developer for the State of Tennessee's TNeCampus program, creating and maintaining Physics and Astronomy courses for thousands of online students.
Certification
State of Tennessee Professional 10-year educator's license:
LIcense Number 000243913
effective date 06/21/2022
expiration date 08/31/2032
active endorsements Mathematics 6-12 / Physics 6/12
highest level of education Doctorate
Languages
English
Native or Bilingual
French
Limited Working
Greek
Elementary
Interests
I am a competitive olympic weightlifter (the olympic sport, not the actual Olympics) with two state records for my age and weight class in the state of Tennessee A branch of mathematics I picked up in Oak Ridge in the early 90's still takes up an hour or so every day, but I don't have a lot of time for media Between gardening, hunting, camping, fishing, 5 old kayaks and a brand new pair of ice skates, I am learning French and Greek in anticipation of some international competitions in the next few years On top of my love of fitness I also have a passion for good food There isn't much I enjoy more than a night at home cooking for family and friends, then sitting with my wife on the front porch and watching the sun go down
Timeline
Physics Teacher
Metro Nashville Public Schools
07.2022 - Current
Professor of Physics
Chattanooga State Community College
08.2008 - 05.2022
Science and Mathematics Teacher
Hamilton County Board Of Education
08.2006 - 05.2008
Science and Mathematics Teacher
Grundy County Board Of Education
01.2000 - 05.2006
Teacher
Franklin County Board Of Education
08.1994 - 12.2000
Ph.D. - Administration And Supervision of Public Schools
Tennessee State University
Master of Arts - Science Education
University of Tennessee At Knoxville
Master of Science - Physics
University of Tennessee At Knoxville
Bachelor of Science - English Education
University of Tennessee At Knoxville
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